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Holmes smiled. The situation was one which my Japanese master would have called subduing the
tiger , that is, reducing an armed opponent to helplessness, but it required your sudden arrival to
distract him so that I could apply the grip. It is extremely painful but leaves no lasting harm. If he lifts
nothing heavy with that arm for a day or two he will regain its use.
Poliakoff had clambered to his feet and now joined us. He held out a hand. I am sorry, he said, that I
mistook you for Kyriloff s dogs. Excuse, please, my left hand, but I think I will be cautious with my
right.
Perhaps, said Gregorieff, you would both like tea while we discuss what brings you here?
Thirteen
The Interpreter s Oath
Gregorieff led us into the adjacent room, evidently a sitting room for him and his sister. Unlike its
neighbour, it was warm and clean, comfortably furnished and hung with attractive tapestries and prints.
Anna Gregorieff rose to greet us as we entered, and I was able to confirm the skill and accuracy with
which Mrs Fordeland had sketched her. Soon we were all seated and Miss Gregorieff was pouring us
black tea.
Now, Mr Holmes, said our host at last, I must apologize to you again for Nikolai s hastiness, but he
fears for our safety.
So do I, Mr Gregorieff, so do I, said Sherlock Holmes. That was one of my reasons for coming here
today.
But how did you know I would be here?
Since 1 first observed you following Mrs Fordeland, and tracked you to your temporary place at Miss
Wortley-Swan s, I have been aware that you must have another place in London, somewhere you could
change from Gregori Gregorieff, interpreter, to the somewhat eccentric character who followed Mrs
Fordeland. Where else but among your countrymen in the East End?
And you came to warn me of something, Mr Holmes?
I rather think you are already aware of any warning I can give, said Holmes. This morning I had a
telegram from Miss Wortley-Swan, informing me that you had left for Russia. Evidently you left her
home before the newspapers carried the story of events in Hyde Park yesterday.
Gregorieff nodded. I was warned by a friend in the embassy, that the police would be looking for me at
Kyriloffs behest.
I thought it better to leave a dead end at Miss Wortley-Swan s. They might trace me there, as you did,
but I hoped that they would not trace me further.
Nor will they, said Holmes, provided that you are careful. Major Kyriloff wants the Metropolitan
Police to hunt for you, but I have explained to Scotland Yard what really happened in Hyde Park, so
they will not be in any great hurry. Even were you to be so unlucky as to be arrested for that matter, I
can point you to two witnesses who know that you were only just emerging from Miss Wortley-Swan s
gate in Sussex at about the time of the so-called attempt on Count Stepan.
Witnesses! exclaimed Gregorieff and his sister, simultaneously.
As you left your lodgings yesterday morning, were you not stopped by a small and importunate boy
with a tale of hardship?
That s right, said the Russian. He was a poor ragged child and he asked for money. I gave him some
pennies, but I also told him that it was below the dignity of a working man to beg for subsistence. But
how did you know this, Mr Holmes?
Because, said Holmes, the lad was sent by me. After we met, it seemed to me that I must pursue
some enquiries about you, and it occurred to me that a photograph would be useful.
The Russian looked upset. Why should you wish to pursue enquiries about me, Mr Holmes? I have
done nothing wrong.
So far as I know, you have not, agreed Holmes. But you have done certain things that strike me as
singular, and I formed the impression when we met at Miss Wortley-Swan s that your answers may
have been strictly true, but they were not entirely helpful. I have come here today in the hope that you
may feel able to give me more informative answers and also to tell you what really happened in Hyde
Park yesterday.
The interpreter was wary. What did occur in Hyde Park yesterday? he asked. The newspapers say
that a shot was fired at Count Skovinsky-Rimkoff, which did not injure him. They say the intending
assassin got away. You know differently?
I know that no shot was fired in Hyde Park, Professor. A farthing firework was detonated in the
shrubbery alongside Rotten Row as Count Stepan and Major Kyriloff rode there. Major Kyriloff insists
that it was a pistol shot, fired by a bearded man in a striped blazer and bowler hat. As you know, it was
not. The firework was detonated by one of Kyriloff s own minions.
How come you know so much about this matter? askeo the Russian.
Because Scotland Yard consulted me and, as is my practice, I examined the evidence and spoke to the
only reliable, observant, witness. That led me to the conclusions which I have outlined to you. It also
led me to certain other conclusions which I have not passed on to Scotland Yard.
Which are? queried our host.
Firstly, that the entire episode was staged as an excuse to ask Scotland Yard to hunt for you; secondly,
that Kyriloff does not know who you really are, or he would have sought you out himself; and thirdly,
that something about you is gravely threatening to Count Stepan.
The Russian sat silent.
You do not, said Holmes, demur from my conclusions, so I take it that they are accurate. That being
the case, you might expect to be in danger from Scotland Yard as well as Kyriloff. At present you are
not. Scotland Yard now knows that yesterday s incident was a device of Kyriloff s and Kyriloff does
not know who you really are. If that should change, you will be in grave danger. You do not need my
opinion that Kyriloff is ruthless.
The Russian nodded again. Mr Holmes, he said, please do not think that I am not grateful that you
have made Scotland Yard aware of Kyriloff s trick and that you have not revealed my identity to them.
Nevertheless, there are reasons why I may not be able to answer your questions.
If you will permit me, said Holmes, I shall ask them. I have no means of compelling you to answer
them, nor even to answer them truthfully, but I believe that you will not be deliberately dishonest.
He gazed questioningly at Gregorieff, who said, I will answer what I can, Mr Holmes.
Splendid! exclaimed my friend. Perhaps you could begin by explaining your connection to Mrs
Diana Fordeland.
Glances were exchanged between the brother and sister, then Gegorieff said, I worked for her as an
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